Religion Catholic Resting place Quiapo, Manila | Nationality Filipino | |
Order Sisters of the Holy Face of Jesus (former Carmelite) Born 23 March 1921
Quiapo, Manila, Philippine Islands ( 1921-03-23 ) Works Sisters of the Holy Face of Jesus (Founder and Superior) Died 7 June 1995, Quiapo, Manila, Philippines | ||
Victoarina Laxamana Vicente (March 23, 1921 - June 7, 1995) was a Filipino Catholic founder of the Sisters of the Holy Face of Jesus (HFJ). She was a former Carmelite Nun in Lipa, during which the apparition of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces in 1948 occurred and became one of the earliest members of the Legion of Mary in the Philippines. Due to her life, she is being considered for beatification.
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Early life
At age four, Vicente experienced a very serious and potentially fatal fever but according to the Memoirs of Mother Therese, Vicente was given Lourdes water, by a celadora of Lourdes Church which is stated to have saved her life. She also attended the Colegio de Santa Rosa, her family's househelp often brought her medicine, and the nuns at the institution often gave her extra merienda or food due to her poor health.
Legion of Mary
During World War II, she was not hesitant to visit the slums. In 1942, Vicente was made Curia President. As president she traveled in different locations in Manila from Quiapo, Binondo and Santa Cruz despite the Japanese invasion and occupation. She organized the Inter Parish Catechetical Convention. She also extend the Legion in Pampanga. In one incident, she rode a truck with the Hukbalahap rebels and according to her she was not mistreated due to her being able to speak Kapangpangan. Vicente was able to establish the first Praesidia in a territory occupied by the Huks.
As a Carmelite
Vicente decided to become a Carmelite nun like St. Therese, her favorite saint.
Later life and death
Vicente got seriously ill in April 1995 due to complications from diabetes, affecting her heart. She died on June 7, 1995. A wake was conducted for seven days and was buried on June 13, 1995 at the Manila Memorial in Sucat, Parañaque. On June 13, 2012, her remains was exhumed and transferred to the Holy Face Chapel of the Sisters of the Holy Face of Jesus in Quiapo, Manila.